Epic to release new EHR version, 'Sonnet,' in March 2018

Epic plans to release a new EHR version, called Sonnet, in March 2018, a company spokesperson said in an emailed statement to Becker's Hospital Review.

In February, Epic announced its work to develop two new EHR versions, slated to be released by the end of 2017. The additions bring the number of Epic EHR versions to three: the full Epic EHR, called "All-Terrain"; a mid-range Epic EHR with fewer modules, called "Utility"; and "Sonnet," a slimmed-down Epic EHR with fewer modules and advanced features.

The target market for the products is physician practices and smaller hospitals, such as critical access hospitals, which may benefit from the lower price points and shorter implementation times. Another target market is medium-sized community hospitals, which may want a lower starting price point with the option for a more advanced EHR version later on.

The Sonnet software — which is designed for small hospitals, physician groups and post-acute care facilities — leverages the company's "compact method" for installations, which only takes a few months, according to Epic. Sonnet will be interoperable with the Epic All-Terrain EHR, Adam Whitlatch, a lead developer at Epic, told Becker's Hospital Review in February.